Mark Williams
Mark Williams performing with Dragon in 2009
Mark Williams performing with Dragon in 2009
Background information
Born (1954-08-21) 21 August 1954
Northland, New Zealand
OriginDargaville, New Zealand
GenresRock, pop, soul
Years active1970–present
Labels

Mark Williams (born 21 August 1954) is a New Zealand singer with Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) number one hit singles, "Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life" (1975) and a cover of Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" (1977) before he relocated to Australia later that year.[1][2] His single, "Show No Mercy" (1990) was a top ten hit in both countries.[3] He has undertaken extensive touring in support of numerous Australian bands and worked in television. In 2006 he became the vocalist for the reformed New Zealand band, Dragon.[1][4]

Biography

1954–1973: Early years

Williams was born in Dargaville, in the Northland region of New Zealand. At the age of 16 he formed a band called 'Face' with classmates. In September 1970, The Face went on to win the Northland heat of the National Battle of the Bands competition, and finishing third overall in the national grand final held in Auckland.[5] In 1971, Face headed to Auckland where they got a gig at the Ōtāhuhu Community Centre paying $20 a week.[6]

Lew Pryme of Impact Records was one of the judges in the competition and became their manager. The band were signed to Zodiac Records and released the single "Hangin' Around"/"Mr Postman". A national tour followed. In 1973, Lew convinced Williams to leave Face and join a new television show called 'Free Ride'.

When the television show "Happen Inn" finished in 1973, a new show emerged. It was called "Free Ride" and was hosted by Ray Columbus. Lew convinced Williams to leave the Face and pursue a solo career at the time the new show was being launched. Williams was well suited for the television role, which allowed him to perform in front of a national audience, gaining exposure. Late in 1974, Williams was signed to EMI Music by Alan Galbraith.[5]

1974–1977: New Zealand fame

Late in 1974, Williams released his debut solo single, "Celebration"/"Let Love Come Between Us", but failed to chart. In May 1975, Williams released a song written by Vanda & Young titled "Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life". The song peaked at number 1 on the New Zealand Charts for 3 weeks. The fame stunned the young singer and Williams said "I didn't feel like I was ready for anything. There was constant touring, television, and recording, it was full on."[6] Williams' debut self-titled album was released in June and peaked at number 2. The album was certified gold.

In November 1975, Williams released "Sweet Wine" which peaked at number 7 on the charts. Early in 1976, Lew Pryme took Williams on a promotional visit to Australia. Upon their return to New Zealand, Pryme and Williams parted company. Williams' second album "Sweet Trials" was released in March 1976 and peaked at number 14. "If It Rains" was released and peaked at number 25.

Late in 1976 the single "Taking It All in Stride" was released and peaked at number 14. Williams' third album, "Taking It All In Stride" was released in June 1977 and was certified gold. It contained the single "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" which peaked at number one, giving Williams his second chart topper. "A House for Sale" was released as the third and final single late in 1977, peaking at number 13.

1978–1989: Australia and Life After Dark

By the end of 1977, Williams left New Zealand for Australia. Williams had found being a 'star' in New Zealand was not all fun. He said "The reaction was either absolute adoration or total disgust. Complete opposites. I was very scared of what it created. That's one of the reasons I left New Zealand, because it was just too scary."[7]

Record producer Alan Galbraith became the new manager of Williams who signed with CBS Records in Australia. He released the album Life After Dark in 1979, which failed to chart.

During the 1980s, Williams established himself as a session singer in Sydney singing many radio and TV commercials and become a favoured back up vocalist on albums by major Australian talent including; Eurogliders' Absolutely, The Church's Heyday, Renée Geyer's Live at the Basement and Jenny Morris's Body and Soul. In 1985, Williams formed a band called 'Boy Rocking' with Harry Brus and Mark Punch. The group were signed to CBS and released two singles without success. In 1987, Williams recorded the "Home and Away" theme song with Karen Boddington, which was released as a single in 1988. In 1988, Williams toured with Ian Moss on the hugely successful 'Matchbook' tour.

1990–2005: Australian fame and Mark Williams ZNZ

In 1989, Williams attempted to re-launch his music career and signed to Albert Productions.

He began working on new material with Harry Vanda and George Young of The Easybeats. In May 1990, Williams released "Show No Mercy" which peaked within the top ten in Australia and New Zealand. "Show No Mercy" was certified ARIA platinum certification in Australia,[8] and was chosen to launch the 1990 New South Wales Rugby League grand final. The second single "Fix of Love" peaked at number 28 in Australia and Williams released his fifth studio album, Mark Williams ZNZ in August 1990.

Williams recorded and released his sixth studio album, Mind over Matter in 1992, with none of the three singles released making the top 50. In 1993, Williams recorded a cover of "Time After Time" with Tara Morice for the Strictly Ballroom soundtrack.

In 1999, EMI Music released another greatest hits compilation titled, The Very Best Of. Between 1999 and 2000, Williams worked as a vocal coach on the Australian Popstars series on the Seven Network, including the female pop group Bardot.[9]

2006–present: Dragon and ROCKONZ Hall of Fame

In 2006, Williams was asked by Todd Hunter of the New Zealand rock band Dragon to join. In a 2013 interview, Williams recalls "Todd [Hunter] gave me a call out of the blue, flew me over, sat me at the kitchen table and said 'Hey, wanna join a rock and roll band?'". Williams said he agreed instantly.[10] Since 2006, The band has toured Australia and New Zealand and has released four studio albums and two extended plays.

In 2010, Williams was inducted into the ROCKONZ Hall of Fame.[11]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart
positions
NZ
[12]
AUS
[13]
Mark Williams
  • Released: June 1975
  • Label: EMI Music
  • Catalogue: HSD 1040
2
Sweet Trials
  • Released: March 1976
  • Label: EMI Music
  • Catalogue: HSD 1046
14
Taking It All In Stride
  • Released: June 1977
  • Label: EMI Music
  • Catalogue: HSD 1055
14
Life After Dark
  • Label: CBS
  • Catalogue: SBP 237330
Mark Williams ZNZ 45
Mind over Matter
  • Released: June 1992
  • Label: Albert Productions
  • Catalogue: 472211
133
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Soundtracks

List of soundtracks, with selected details
Title Details
Dancing Daze
(by Jenny Morris, Wendy Matthews, Mark Williams, Marc Hunter & Jane Clifton)
  • Released: February 1986
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC Music (RML 53191)
Illusion
(by Mark Williams, Wendy Matthews, Martin Armiger & Peter Blakeley)

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected details
Title Details
Live in New Zealand '75
  • Released: 30 July 2016
  • Label: Laneway Music

Compilations

List of compilations, with selected details
Title Details
Greatest Hits
  • Released: Late 1977
  • Label: EMI Music
  • Catalogue: HSD 1064
The Very Best of Mark Williams album
  • Released: 1999
  • Label: EMI Music
  • Catalogue: 5233472
The Singles Collection
  • Released: 30 July 2016
  • Label: Laneway Music

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[12]
AUS
[13]
UK
[15]
"Celebration" 1974 Mark Williams
"Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life" 1975 1
"Sweet Wine" 7 Sweet Trials
"If It Rains" 1976 25
"Taking It All in Stride" 14 Taking It All In Stride
"It Doesn't Matter Anymore" 1977 1
"A House for Sale" 13
"Wanna Give You My Love" 1978 Life After Dark
"I Don't Want You Anymore" 1979
"Throw Me a Line" 1980
"Christmas Is a Lucky Time" 1985 Non-album single
"Might Have Been"(with Jenny Morris and Wendy Matthews) 1986 Dancing Daze (soundtrack)
"K.1.W.1." (with Malcolm McCallum) 1988 Non-album singles
"Home and Away" (as Mark Williams and Karen Boddington) 1989 73
"Show No Mercy" 1990 9 8 Mark Williams ZNZ
"Fix of Love" 28
"Spell Is Broken" 1991 115
"We Can Dream" 1992 95 Mind over Matter
"Time After Time" (as Mark Williams & Tara Morice) 18 82 Strictly Ballroom
"Slow Dance" 1993 Mind over Matter
"I Can't Help You Anymore"
"Feel for the Night" (German release) Mark Williams ZNZ
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards

New Zealand Music Awards

The New Zealand Music Awards are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1975Mark WilliamsArtist of the YearWon[16]
Mark WilliamsMale artist of the YearWon
Alan Galbraith for "Yesterday Was Just the Beginning of My Life" by Mark WilliamsProducer of the YearWon
1976Mark WilliamsMale artist of the YearWon
Sweet TrialsAlbum of the YearNominated
David Frazer for "Taking It All in Stride" by Mark WilliamsArranger of the YearWon
Peter Hitchcock for "Taking It All in Stride" by Mark WilliamsEngineer of the YearWon
Alan Galbraith for "Taking It All in Stride" by Mark WilliamsProducer of the YearWon

ROCKONZ Hall of Fame

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2010Mark WilliamsROCKONZ Hall of Fameinducted[11]

Variety Artists Club of New Zealand

The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand (VAC) is a non-for-profit organisation and show business club. It was founded in 1966 and became an incorporated society in 1972. Each year the VAC presents prestigious awards to those involved with the entertainment industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1975Mark WilliamsGolden Microphone for Performer of the YearWon

References

  1. 1 2 "Today in History 27 June 1975 Mark Williams hits No. 1". New Zealand History online. History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  2. "charts.nz > Discography Mark Williams". Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  3. "Mark Williams – Show No Mercy". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  4. "The Dragon Collection". Nzonscreen.com. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Mark Williams". Sergent. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  6. 1 2 "Flashback: Yesterday was the beginning of his life". Stuff. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  7. "Mark Williams Profile". audio culture. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  8. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  9. "Very best of Mark Williams". New Zealand Records. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  10. "Interview with MARK WILLIAMS (DRAGON)". rock club. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Honour for Kiwi singer". 12 May 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  12. 1 2 "charts.nz > Mark Williams in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  13. 1 2 Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  14. "Illusion - 1986 Studio Cast". Castalbums.org. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  15. "Official Charts > Karen Boddington & Mark Williams". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  16. "Aotearoa Music Awards". aotearoamusicawards.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
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